Let’s do a Handstitched Stitchalong!

Edited to add- The live stitch along lessons on FB Live are now over, but not to worry. Now you view all of the FB Live videos of me I stitching this project together on my YouTube channel. Grab a kit and start stitching anytime!

Edited to add- The last day to order your EPP kit to ensure you’ll get it in time for the stitch along live FB videos is Tuesday, 9/12/17.

Updated at end of post with Dates and Times!

Let’s face facts, Summer is winding down. It is kind of bittersweet, I know. But I can’t say I’m not ready for a little more routine around here.
What about you?
The biggest news here is that my daughter is leaving for college in a few days. She’ll be about five hours away. Not a terribly long distance, but far enough! We have bins to pack, sheets and towels to buy, dorm rooms to decorate, and you know what that means?
I am distracting myself with sewing. And important stuff like daydreaming up new projects.
One of those new projects is a stitch along. I love stitch alongs. They feels like community to me. Its very easy to spend lots of hours here sewing and I do love it, but it can be pretty quiet. But with a stitch along, we’re all working on a common thing. I’ve been itching to do a project like this for a while, and with Facebook Live videos so easy to do, it really can be like we’re doing it together! My plan is to stitch on air at scheduled times, and you can ask me questions that I can answer in real time! (Don’t worry, if you join the stitch along and can’t catch the video live, you will still be able to catch the replay, and I’ll be sure and share details on that.)
The project I’m planning for the stitchalong is the project called “Handstitched” from Wise Craft Quilts.
When I designed this project for the book, my intention was to make a framed piece. Not a “quilt” in the traditional sense, but one that could utilize smaller, special pieces of fabric, and create something that could be framed and hung on a wall.
This piece, as its name implies, is completely hand stitched using a technique called English Paper Piecing. Each piece of fabric is sewn around a paper template. There is no machine stitching required. This technique creates perfectly sharp corners and curves, and is really fun to do once you get the hang of it. (I promise, it is NOT scary at all.)

No machine stitching means its great to throw in your bag for stitching on the go (like while we’re waiting at kid’s after school activities).
The first version I made was so fun, in fact, I stitched a second one. This one I sent to Denyse. (Maybe you can see the reflection of one of her quilts in the background, below.)
During the stitch along, I’ll walk you through everything and show you exactly how to do each step! The actual project is quite fast. I completed each of mine in a weekend.
The stitch along will officially start the week of September 18, which means the first Facebook Live video will happen during that week, and I’ll be sure to post the exact date and time.

Things to know now about the Stitchalong:

This project is suitable for all levels, even if you have never English Paper Pieced before! I will be demonstrating it and promise you will soon be addicted.

You will need a set of the paper templates to complete this project, but be sure to join my email list if you’re not already on it, I will be giving out discount info to the list!

We will begin the week of September 18, and I will announce details as we get closer.

You will need a copy of Wise Craft Quilts in order to play along. Its not manditory, but it does contain lots of helpful information about layout, yardage, and thoughts on color, and could help answer questions that may come up.

What do you say? Will you stitch along with me? If you’d like to join the Wise Craft Quilts Facebook Group I’ll be posting more info there soon.
Please leave a comment with any questions both at the bottom of this post, or in the Wise Craft Quilts Facebook Group.
Participating and want to get the word out? Here’s a downloadable sidebar image to add to your blog and FB page (click image to download)-

Here’s the Facebook Live schedule for the stitchalong-

Friday, 9/22– I will share my English Paper Piecing supplies- the kit, and how I create a carry-along kit that I keep in my bag for on-the-go stitching. I’ll also share some of the different ways you can approach your version of this piece, like fussy cutting motifs out of your favorite fabrics or using your favorite scraps (this is the way I made it for in my book), etc.Monday, 9/25– Tonight we will learn the basics of how to English Paper Piece and I’ll show you everything to know to stitch up the basic shape. Trust me, you’ll be addicted!Saturday, 9/30– In this final video, we’ll wrap up by learning how I mounting it on mat board inside the frame, framing options, etc.All FB Live videos are at 4pm PDT (what time is this where I live?)Facebook Live- How to participate as an audience member